Warburton to lead Lions

Wales skipper Sam Warburton will captain the British and Irish Lions on their tour of Australia in June and July.

Wales skipper Sam Warburton will captain the British and Irish Lions on their tour of Australia in June and July, head coach Warren Gatland announced on Tuesday.

At 24, Warburton becomes the youngest tour captain in Lions history, but there was no place in the 37-man touring party for either England captain Chris Robshaw or flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson.

However, Ireland great and 2005 Lions captain Brian O'Driscoll was included, with the centre chosen for his fourth successive tour with the combined side.

The squad for the 10-match, three-Test series is made up of 15 Welshmen, 10 Englishmen, nine Irishmen and three Scotsmen.

Warren Gatland said: "We spent a long time selecting this squad and there were some close calls with a lot of competition for places.

"But ultimately we chose the players who will give us the best chance of a Test series victory. A Lions Tour to Australia only comes around once every 12 years and we believe we have the right balance in the squad to be successful.

"We have a tremendous challenge in front of us but I know the players will be dedicated to the adventure and task ahead," Gatland added.

The Lions will be looking for their first series win since 1997 when they defeated South Africa.

They face the Wallabies in the first of three Tests on June 22, after starting their tour against the Barbarians in Hong Kong on June 1.